Special Marine Warning Issued for Gulf Waters Near Key West
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NWS Key West has issued a Special Marine Warning for Gulf of America waters and Hawk Channel until 10:45 PM EDT due to a strong thunderstorm producing wind gusts of 34 knots or greater.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Special Marine Warning
- Affected area
- Gulf of America and Hawk Channel near Key West
- Issued
- August 8, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Key West FL
Marine notices apply to named waters or shoreline zones. They may not describe conditions on land, even when the nearest place name is the same.
Record status: publication date is recent, but current status is not stored on this page. Check the issuing agency's live warning service before acting because warnings can be updated, narrowed, or cancelled.
Alert Details
Special Marine Warning issued by NWS Key West FL. Effective from August 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM EDT until August 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM EDT.
Affected Areas
Gulf of America from East Cape Sable to Chokoloskee 20 to 60 NM out and beyond 5 fathoms; Gulf of America from West End of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to 5 fathoms; Hawk Channel from west end of Seven Mile Bridge to Halfmoon Shoal out to the reef. Locations include Ellis Rock Light and Marquesas Keys.
What You Should Do
Intense and continuous lightning is occurring with this storm. Stay low, or go below. Lower VHF antenna, outriggers, fishing rods, and umbrellas.
Expected Conditions
At 10:01 PM EDT, a strong thunderstorm was located near Marquesas Keys, moving west at 15 knots. Hazard includes wind gusts 34 knots or greater. Expect wind gusts in excess of 34 knots, suddenly higher waves, frequent lightning, and heavy downpours.
Timeline
Alert effective August 7, 2026 at 10:01 PM EDT and expires August 7, 2026 at 10:45 PM EDT.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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